Ohtani’s First Slip in a Heated NL MVP Battle
MLB.com published its latest National League MVP mock vote on August 24 (August 25 in Japan), and for the first time this season Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has been nudged out of the top spot. The new No. 1: Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (widely known as PCA), a 24-year-old standout whose all-around impact—especially on defense—has vaulted him to the front of the expert poll. The shuffle immediately ignited debate across social media, with passionate defenses of Ohtani and counter-claims that the Cubs phenom has earned his surge. As reported by Japanese outlet Full-Count, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also hinted that Ohtani could return to the mound soon—potentially in the third game of the upcoming road series against the Detroit Tigers—setting the stage for a dramatic two-way resurgence that could sway voters down the stretch.
The Vote by the Numbers
The MLB.com mock ballot drew 37 expert voters. Crow-Armstrong captured 29 first-place votes and 177 total points, while Ohtani received eight first-place votes and 154 points. Though unofficial, these midseason snapshots often reflect current narratives and underscore what voters value most at a given moment.
Why PCA Jumped Ahead
Crow-Armstrong’s case is anchored in elite run prevention. He currently grades at or near the top of MLB’s defensive metrics among outfielders, and his speed-and-glovework combination has become appointment viewing at Wrigley Field. Advanced-value models echo that impact: before games on August 25 (August 26 JST), WAR tallies cited in the report had Crow-Armstrong at 7.9 versus Ohtani’s 6.9, a razor-thin—but meaningful—edge that helps explain the swing in expert sentiment. Add in his all-field athleticism and timely hitting, and PCA has built the sort of holistic résumé that voters increasingly reward.
Fan Reactions: Passion on Both Sides
The poll set off a firestorm online. Supporters hailed the Cub—“Pete is the MVP!”—while skeptics pushed back with “PCA is overrated.” Ohtani loyalists insisted, “Shohei Ohtani is the true MVP,” and others argued a two-way return would settle the question: “He’s going to pitch again—then it’s over.” Some fans took a measured view, noting that if PCA flirts with a 40–40 season, he would be a deserving winner. And many, echoing Japan’s steadfast backing, vowed to believe in Ohtani until the final vote.
What Ohtani’s Two-Way Return Could Mean
Roberts suggested before the Braves series that Ohtani could take the mound in the Tigers set, likely in a short outing. Even limited pitching innings would be symbolic—and strategic. Ohtani’s dual-threat profile has no modern equivalent; every quality start, strikeout burst, and power display at the plate compounds his value in a way few candidates can match. With the Dodgers in the thick of postseason positioning, voters will weigh not just numbers but impact on wins, narrative arcs, and historical significance—categories where Ohtani’s uniqueness often shines.
Why This Matters in Japan—and Beyond
For readers in and around Japan, this race is personal. Ohtani, a two-time MLB MVP and the face of Japanese baseball excellence, embodies the country’s meticulous training culture and global-minded ambition. His performances fuel morning viewership in Japan, anchor watch parties for Japanese communities abroad, and deepen U.S.–Japan sporting ties that stretch from youth academies to big-league club partnerships. Whether he finishes first or second in an August poll is less important than the broader arc: a Japanese athlete redefining what’s possible at the sport’s pinnacle.
The Road Ahead
Mock votes are snapshots, not outcomes. The official MVP will be determined by BBWAA voters after the season, leaving ample runway for both Crow-Armstrong and Ohtani to shape perceptions. If Ohtani returns to the mound and stacks impactful innings alongside his middle-of-the-order bat, the race could tilt back quickly. If PCA sustains elite defense and piles up across-the-board value, his lead may hold. For now, Japan can take pride: in a sport measured by daily tests, its brightest star remains squarely in the center of the biggest battle of all.
